Navigating with
unfathomable radar
journey's end
in certain death
against all odds
surfing salt Pacific sea
urgent instinct leads
to clear crystal streams
fight raging currents
onward furiously threshing
leaping Nature's obstacles
with Olympian finesse
"Journeys end
In lovers meeting"
eggs and milt
in Redd coalesce
continuity of species
assured, they await
the seaward journey
of their young smolts
( destined to continue
blueprinted Salmon pattern )
..and safely home
cosmic purpose fulfilled,
intrepid heros die
Author notes
Pacific salmon, spawned in fresh water rivers, find their way to sea, where they may remain for some years, but unerringly find their way back to their original freshwater home, fighting mighty battles to reach their estuary, and swimming upstream against the river's current - they spawn, and then die. Science is still baffled by the why and the how of this phenomenon
Written June 1st, 2005
In a list
A contest entry
- Color: Salmon by Melissa Gayle.
300 points, ended June 2, 2005, 9 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - All About Nature by xXxWorthlessxXx.
450 points, ended May 18, 2007, 30 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Nature by justlikelivin.
300 points, ended July 7, 2008, 8 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Animal by Thoughts-of-Soloman.
1800 points, ended September 23, 2008, 24 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - The Natural World: In Honor of AsIThink by hawkeslake.
1050 points, ended January 3, 16 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 9 of 9
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I can see and hear about this feat of Salmon a thousand times and still marvel at it (as I did again while reading this piece of yours). Excellent background choice too. Yes, what a remarkable journey. Are our lives and behaviors any less 'science-boggling' than that of the Salmon? Hmmm... "Enquiring minds want to know" (smiling). This was a wonderful reminder.
AsIThink...
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Nature has far stronger directionality than anything man can invent! Great description of the salmon run. Thank you for entering.
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I very much like this!
A wonderful tribute to such a fantastic phenomena in nature, congratulations on your taste.
What I very much admire about this 'write', is the way you have preserved the mysterious beauty of your subject, without enclosing them in the word 'Salmon' as if we know exactly and complacently what they are.
While we can learn much about the nature of what is around us, all, including these amazing fish, surely remains nothing other than faces of our own mystery in which we live and can appreciate as such.
Here I find that you have written an expression of this appreciation while still keeping its face of mystery wide, wide open.
Much I feel was achieved with the words you have placed in brackets, where you describe without trying to define. I don't see the need for the brackets... in fact if using them, I would place all the rest of the poem in them and keep theses words as the most essential ones.
I dare say some would call me mad but trust that you will appreciate what I'm pointing at.
Thank you so much for this!
Sol
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Impressive
I like the theme. And really ejoyed it. I don't think that it's quite gold matterial. But still very god. Maybe a runner up. Thanks for the entry.
!!!
Justlikelivin -
this is a greta write. i enjoyed this very much, great imagery thanks so much for entering
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This is such a strong piece PJ- You really found the essence of the color topic. I love the ending.
M -
excellent
Beautiful PJ and the imagery is dead on as always.I love these color themed pieces.The poem flows and captures these amazing fish perfectly.I recall a documentary on them and their struggles.
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So informative and lovely! I so thoroughly enjoy reading you, not only do you write beautifully but you do so with suich elegance and intelligence, it is a gem.
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Wow, I didn't know that about the salmon. They go home to die. Wonderful topic to write about and beautiful write! I loved the imagery and that line 'with Olympian finesse'. And then the last line. The way you described them made me think of those games. Just had a brain fart so I can't remember what they're called. God, it's on the tip of my toungue! Oh well, I think you get what I'm trying to eloquently convey. Great write!
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